Family of Georgia man shot in park gets $1.5M

NEWARK (AP) — The family of an unarmed Georgia man fatally shot in a northern New Jersey park by a county sheriff’s officer has settled a wrongful death lawsuit.

Defarra “Dean” Gaymon, who headed the Atlanta City Employees Credit Union, was in New Jersey for a high school reunion in 2010. He was shot by an undercover sheriff’s detective who was investigating public sex in Branch Brook Park.

Gaymon’s wife and four children settled Tuesday for $1.5 million and will receive about $730,000 when attorneys’ fees and costs are subtracted. As part of the settlement, the Essex County sheriff’s office did not admit any wrongdoing.

Authorities said the 48-year-old Gaymon approached the detective and, after a chase, the officer fired one shot when Gaymon allegedly reached in his pocket and lunged at him.